Canadiens confirm change on defense ahead of tonight's game vs. Panthers

The team has just confirmed, via an official press release, that Jayden Struble has been removed from the lineup for tonight's game against the Florida Panthers.

Adam Engstrom replaces him and is inserted into Martin St-Louis' lineup.

The Montreal Canadiens have indeed shuffled their blue line ahead of tonight's game. Recall that the team did not hold a morning skate, which forced everyone to read between the lines.

At the same time, Samuel Montembeault was given the start against the Florida Panthers, a big test on the road.

Struble, 24, still comes with numbers that speak for themselves. He signed a two-year contract totaling $2.83M, or $1.415M per season.

In 2024-25, he recorded 13 points in 56 games, and he has totaled 28 points in 142 career NHL games.

But the organization also wants to see Engstrom in the mix, and he barely costs anything against the cap. His cap hit is $896,667, and his entry-level contract runs for three seasons.

So far, he has played nine NHL games this season without recording a point, but he comes with a well-rounded profile and has still been quite effective.

The Panthers are only two points behind the Canadiens in the Atlantic Division, and it's a four-point night.

Montembeault has not started an NHL game since December 2, and he knows that every save counts.

It promises to be an exciting night! Do you like St-Louis' decision?